Basil eBook

itself as offensively as it pleased, without troubling
myself to protest against an expression of opinion
which aroused in me no other feeling than a feeling
of contempt. I knew that “Basil” had
nothing to fear from pure-minded readers; and I left
these pages to stand or fall on such merits as they
possessed. Slowly and surely, my story forced
its way through all adverse criticism, to a place in
the public favour which it has never lost since.
Some of the most valued friends I now possess, were
made for me by “Basil.” Some of the
most gratifying recognitions of my labours which I
have received, from readers personally strangers to
me, have been recognitions of the purity of this story,
from the first page to the last. All the indulgence
I need now ask for “Basil,” is indulgence
for literary defects, which are the result of inexperience;
which no correction can wholly remove; and which no
one sees more plainly, after a lapse of ten years,
than the writer himself.

I have only to add, that the present edition of this
book is the first which has had the benefit of my
careful revision. While the incidents of the
story remain exactly what they were, the language in
which they are told has been, I hope, in many cases
greatly altered for the better.

WilkieCollins.

Harley Street, London, July, 1862.

Basil.

PART I.

I.

What am I now about to write?

The history of little more than the events of one
year, out of the twenty-four years of my life.

Why do I undertake such an employment as this?

Perhaps, because I think that my narrative may do
good; because I hope that, one day, it may be put
to some warning use. I am now about to relate
the story of an error, innocent in its beginning, guilty
in its progress, fatal in its results; and I would
fain hope that my plain and true record will show
that this error was not committed altogether without
excuse. When these pages are found after my death,
they will perhaps be calmly read and gently judged,
as relics solemnized by the atoning shadows of the
grave. Then, the hard sentence against me may
be repented of; the children of the next generation
of our house may be taught to speak charitably of
my memory, and may often, of their own accord, think
of me kindly in the thoughtful watches of the night.

Prompted by these motives, and by others which I feel,
but cannot analyse, I now begin my self-imposed occupation.
Hidden amid the far hills of the far West of England,
surrounded only by the few simple inhabitants of a
fishing hamlet on the Cornish coast, there is little
fear that my attention will be distracted from my task;
and as little chance that any indolence on my part
will delay its speedy accomplishment. I live
under a threat of impending hostility, which may descend
and overwhelm me, I know not how soon, or in what manner.
An enemy, determined and deadly, patient alike to wait
days or years for his opportunity, is ever lurking
after me in the dark. In entering on my new employment,
I cannot say of my time, that it may be mine for another
hour; of my life, that it may last till evening.